We have used sulfhydryl-modifying reagents to investigate the regulation of G-protein-activated inward rectifier potassium (GIRK) channels via their cytoplasmic domains. Modification of either the conserved N-terminal cysteines (GIRK1C53 and GIRK2C65) or the middle C-terminal cysteines (GIRK1C310 and GIRK2C321) independently inhibited GIRK1/GIRK2 heteromeric channels. With the exception of GIRK...

Daily short intravenous infusions of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) have been developed to decrease toxicity while maintaining anticancer activity of this agent against kidney cancer. Such IL-2 schedules have previously been shown to increase Lymphokine Activated Killer cell (LAK) numbers (Quan) and LAK activity (Mitchell). Famotidine may increase LAK activity by increasing Interleukin-2 internalization ...

BACKGROUND Pathologic subjective halitosis is known as a halitosis complaint without objective confirmation of halitosis by others or by halitometer measurements; it has been reported to be associated with social anxiety disorder. Olfactory reference syndrome is a preoccupation with the false belief that one emits a foul and offensive body odor. Generally, patients with olfactory reference synd...

Tsunoda M, Kobayashi N, Ide T, Utsumi M, Nagasawa M, Murakami K. A novel PPAR agonist ameliorates insulin resistance in dogs fed a high-fat diet. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 294: E833–E840, 2008. First published January 22, 2008; doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00627.2007.—Agonism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) , a key regulator of lipid metabolism, leads to amelioration of lipid ab...

By use of liver enzyme preparations, it has been proved that biotin is required for the synthesis of fatty acids (S. J. Wakil, Lipid Res. 2:1, 1961). Biotin-containing enzyme, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase, catalyzes the first step in the reaction, and the malonyl-CoA produced is the first intermediate of the biosynthesis of the anthraquinoid pigment in fungi (S. Gatenbeck, Acta Chem. Sca...

Does an expansion of patent scope induce more innovative effort by firms? We examine responses to the Japanese patent reforms of 1988. Interviews with practitioners and professional documents for patent agents suggest the reforms significantly expanded the scope of patent rights. However, econometric analysis using both Japanese and U.S. patent data on 307 Japanese firms finds no evidence of an...

Kazuo Tsunoda, MD, PhD, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aobaku Seiryomachi 1-1, Sendai 980 (Japan) 4-, 1 Dear Sir, Hypertension in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis usually can be controlled by ultrafiltration. However, in a small number hemodialysis fails to reduce the blood pressure despite the removal of salt and water. Such patients ar...

1. Varma M, Rafferty J, Buie WD; Standards Practice Task Force of American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Practice parameters for the management of rectal prolapse. Dis Colon Rectum 2011;54:1339-46. 2. Lieberth M, Kondylis LA, Reilly JC, Kondylis PD. The Delorme repair for full-thickness rectal prolapse: a retrospective review. Am J Surg 2009;197:418-23. 3. Lechaux JP, Lechaux D, Perez M...

Two theories concerning the site of renin formation have been known. One is proposed by Goormaghtigh(1940, 47)who assumed juxtaglomerular cells to be responsible for the production of renin on the basis that the cells hypertrophy and the granulation in them augments in degree in the experimental hypertensive animals. The other is proximal convolution theory adovocated by Friedman and Kaplan(194...

genetic protein expression in human atherosclerotic lesions. J Clin Invest 1993;91: 1800–9. 39. Hirota S, Imakita M, Kohri K, Ito A, Morii E, Adachi S et al. Expression of osteopontin messenger RNA by macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. A possible association with calcification. Am J Pathol 1993;143:1003–8. 40. Aikawa E, Nahrendorf M, Figueiredo JL, Swirski FK, Shtatland T, Kohler RH et al....